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Poster: Soundgrammar Date: Dec 18, 2007 10:33pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Box of Rain

Are there any versions of Box of Rain that top the studio version? I always thought it was damn good, but never found one better. Any favorites?

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Poster: Jerrob Hungar Date: Dec 19, 2007 7:47am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

Favourite live version so far is on 2.28.73. (DP28) Phil's vocals are almost spot on. Donna's harmonies and Jerry's playing give it a sweet and soulful flavour. There are a few good ones in 73. Comparison with the studio Box isn't fair, considering studio technology. I think Hunter's slower tempo suited the song better.

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Poster: Soundgrammar Date: Dec 19, 2007 11:35pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

Its definitely fair to compare them. Despite the studio technology on all thirteen studio releases, only two approached something great. The Grateful Dead were best without studio technology.
Anyways I really like your suggestion. I just found that track and its probably the best live "Box of Rain" Ive heard. Thanks.

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Poster: deadhead66 Date: Dec 19, 2007 4:29pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

The first-set closer from The Spectrum, 3/24/86. Beats all other post-Watkins-Glen versions hands-down.

Best to all,
deadhead66

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Poster: spacedface Date: Dec 19, 2007 5:06pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

I like the studio version too. It was even featured not so long ago on a short lived TV show called "Freaks and Geeks."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAoWgenBkhY

also the end of the show, from the same episode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5ZY5woMEqI

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Poster: Arbuthnot Date: Dec 18, 2007 11:06pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

it's an interesting question, and one i have pondered as well, and after many listens to a number of live versions, i have come to the conclusion that the BEST version of Box Of Rain is the version from Hunter's album 'Jack O' Roses' ... blows away any version ever done by Phil; sorry, i just never got into the Phil versions after hearing Hunter do his thing; Hunter though has some fantastic live versions of his own ... Box of Rain/Jack O' Roses: http://www.filefactory.com/file/022fb7/ Box of Rain/Robert Hunter @ Toads Place 11/12/80: http://www.filefactory.com/file/85c93d/
This post was modified by Arbuthnot on 2007-12-19 07:06:43

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Poster: Arbuthnot Date: Dec 18, 2007 11:09pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

by the way, for anyone interested (Will Tell? Ashes?) ... that 11/12 live version will transport you, i kid you not ...

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Poster: William Tell Date: Dec 19, 2007 7:29am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

Hey Arb--yes, I tend to agree with you. In a way, though, I have come to view them as apples and oranges. The AB version is so upbeat, that it wasn't until I heard Hunter's that I truly appreciated the "best" context for the song--and Hunter defn achieves that better than Phil and the boys. The Hunter ones are the ones to use at a memorial, I can sadly attest to from first hand experience, BUT there is something about the AB version that I love, and turn to when in need of a more uplifting mood end point even if of the same general kind (someone's passing--always linked to that for me).

Defn no live versions match AB for the boys, though the 9-17-70 (bad recording) is worth a listen for historical significance alone.

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Poster: elbow1126 Date: Dec 19, 2007 8:31am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

WT,

Its the way the guitars just ring out to start that album that always gets me. I also love Jerry's backing vocals on the studio version. Those are what give it the nod over Hunter for me.

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Poster: William Tell Date: Dec 19, 2007 8:38am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

You got it; Dave Nelson, right? Torbert on bass too I think. Phil's voice on that is just the most perfect application of his vocal talent (limited, right?) I can imagine. His sound is somehow more paternalistic, and optimistic, providing advice on how to get through something in a way that leaves you confident it will all work out.

Hunter's, to me, is much more sorrowful, full of missed potential and acknowledging that things sometimes go wrong, and the best he can do is let you know he doesn't have any answers...leaves me much sadder.

Wish I could it put it better, but unless somebody like Rob chimes in you're stuck with my half measures and ramblings...

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Poster: elbow1126 Date: Dec 19, 2007 8:46am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

Well Phil may have been inspired as I believe the song was written for his dying father. Although they don't do this song, Phil seemed to be in good voice during that time period. Listen to the show on 10/4/70 (night Janis dies). His backing vocals and harmonies sound great.

http://www.archive.org/details/gd70-10-04.sbd.cotsman.4942.sbeok.shnf

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Poster: elbow1126 Date: Dec 19, 2007 5:35am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

Arb is correct, the Hunter one is great. As for Grateful Dead ones, i don't think any live versions ever approach the one on American Beauty. Of the two I still think I like the AB one best.

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Poster: skuzzlebutt Date: Dec 19, 2007 8:56am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

This is one of the rare GD songs that the boys were never able to improve on live. I'm not a big fan of Phil's vocals anyway, and his singing on the AB version is about as good as it ever got for him.

IMO Most of the better live versions are to be found in '73. I was at the '86 "Box" breakout in Hampton and while it was one of the most exciting GD moments I ever experienced, on the whole the later day renditions do little to move me.

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Poster: high flow Date: Dec 19, 2007 9:10am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain


Here is one I've always enjoyed. Better than studio??? Probably not....but sweet nonetheless.

http://www.archive.org/details/gd90-06-10.sbd-matrix.miller-ladner.6937.sbeok.shnf

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Poster: countmlbjam Date: Dec 19, 2007 9:23am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

11-19-72

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Poster: johnnyonthespot Date: Dec 19, 2007 3:31pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Box of Rain

One of my favorites too Flow